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FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY - Quarter Report: 2008 January (Form 10-Q)

form10q-90343_freit.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended January 31, 2008
or
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from __________________ to ____________________
 
 
Commission File No. 000-25043

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
New Jersey
22-1697095
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
505 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey
07601
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
201-488-6400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer x
Non-Accelerated Filer o
Smaller Reporting Company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x

As of March 11, 2008, the number of shares of beneficial interest outstanding was 6,779,152




FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY

 
INDEX

 
       
Page
         
   
         
   
3
         
   
4
         
   
5
         
   
6
         
 
9
         
 
19
         
 
19
         
         
 
         
 
19
         
 
22
       
  Signatures
23




Page 2


Part I:  Financial Information

Item 1:  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
             
             
   
January 31,
   
October 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands of Dollars)
 
ASSETS
           
Real estate, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation
  $ 205,105     $ 204,732  
Construction in progress
    7,502       7,331  
Cash and cash equivalents
    9,808       12,740  
Tenants' security accounts
    2,367       2,369  
Sundry receivables
    4,596       4,833  
Secured loans receivable
    3,326       3,326  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    2,660       2,852  
Acquired over market leases and in-place lease costs
    1,044       1,104  
Deferred charges, net
    3,376       3,454  
Interest rate swap contract
    -       14  
Totals
  $ 239,784     $ 242,755  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Mortgages payable
  $ 188,814     $ 189,389  
             Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    4,233       5,193  
Dividends payable
    2,034       2,704  
        Tenants' security deposits
    3,060       3,124  
             Acquired below market value leases and deferred revenue
    3,792       3,911  
Total liabilities
    201,933       204,321  
                 
Minority interest
    13,227       13,304  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Shares of beneficial interest without par value:
               
8,000,000 shares authorized;
               
     6,779,152 and 6,760,652 shares issued and outstanding
    23,364       23,225  
  Undistributed earnings
    1,260       1,891  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    -       14  
Total shareholders' equity          
    24,624       25,130  
Totals
  $ 239,784     $ 242,755  
 
                 
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               

Page 3


FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
AND UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2008 AND 2007
(Unaudited)
             
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007*
 
   
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share
Amounts)
 
Revenue:
             
Rental income
  $ 8,980     $ 8,719  
Reimbursements
    1,385       1,284  
Sundry income
    92       103  
Totals
    10,457       10,106  
                 
Expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    2,925       2,894  
Management fees
    456       435  
Real estate taxes
    1,446       1,426  
Depreciation
    1,338       1,303  
Totals
    6,165       6,058  
                 
Operating income
    4,292       4,048  
                 
Investment income
    159       87  
Interest expense including amortization
               
  of deferred financing costs
    (2,933 )     (3,043 )
Minority interest
    (115 )     (138 )
Distribution to certain minority interests
    -       (150 )
Income from continuing operations
    1,403       804  
Discontinued operations:
               
   Earnings from discontinued operations
    -       42  
Income from discontinued operations
    -       42  
Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
                 
Basic earnings per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.21     $ 0.12  
Discontinued operations
  $ -     $ 0.01  
Net income
  $ 0.21     $ 0.13  
Diluted earnings per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.20     $ 0.11  
Discontinued operations
  $ -     $ 0.01  
Net income
  $ 0.20     $ 0.12  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    6,763       6,751  
Diluted
    6,906       6,919  
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized (loss) on interest
               
   rate swap contract
    -       (7 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 1,403     $ 839  
                 
UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS
               
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 1,891     $ 1,735  
Net income
    1,403       846  
Less dividends declared
    (2,034 )     (2,025 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 1,260     $ 556  
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
                 
* Restated to reflect reclassification of discontinued operations.
         
 
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
         

Page 4

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2008 AND 2007
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands of Dollars)
 
Operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
operating activities (including discontinued operations):
               
Depreciation
    1,338       1,306  
Amortization
    176       139  
Net amortization of acquired leases
    (24 )     (75 )
Deferred revenue
    (59 )     (69 )
Minority interest
    115       288  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Tenants' security accounts
    2       (45 )
  Sundry receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets
    475       223  
  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    819       (81 )
Tenants' security deposits
    (64 )     25  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,181       2,557  
Investing activities:
               
Capital improvements - existing properties
    (331 )     (934 )
Construction and pre development costs
    (3,315 )     (3,067 )
                   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,646 )     (4,001 )
Financing activities:
               
Repayment of mortgages
    (575 )     (2,100 )
Proceeds from mortgages
    -       6,331  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    139       -  
Dividends paid
    (2,704 )     (3,375 )
Distribution to minority interest
    (327 )     (300 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (3,467 )     556  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,932 )     (888 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    12,740       9,616  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 9,808     $ 8,728  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:
               
Interest paid, including capitalized construction period interest
               
of $86 in fiscal 2008.
  $ 2,890     $ 2,978  
Income taxes paid
  $ -     $ 6  
Supplemental schedule of non cash financing activities:
               
Accrued capital expenditures, construction costs and pre-development costs
  $ 131     $ 325  
Dividends declared but not paid
  $ 2,034     $ 2,025  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               

Page 5


FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of presentation:
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted. It is the opinion of management that all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and that all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
 
The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007 of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (“FREIT”).
 
Reclassification:
Certain accounts in the 2007 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. (See Note 4 for a more detailed discussion.)

Note 2 - Earnings per share:
 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period (denominator). The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued during the period.
 
In computing diluted earnings per share for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007, the assumed exercise of all of FREIT’s outstanding stock options, adjusted for application of the treasury stock method, would have increased the weighted average number of shares outstanding as shown in the table below.
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    6,762,663       6,750,652  
                 
Shares arising from assumed exercise of stock options
    142,982       168,205  
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding
    6,905,645       6,918,857  

 
Basic and diluted earnings per share, based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period, are comprised of ordinary income for the three month period ended January 31, 2008 and the prior year’s comparable period.
 
Note 3 - Equity incentive plan:
 
On September 10, 1998, the Board of Trustees approved FREIT’s Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") which was ratified by FREIT's shareholders on April 7, 1999, whereby up to 920,000 of FREIT's shares of beneficial interest may be granted to key personnel in the form of stock options, restricted share awards and other share-based awards.
 
Upon ratification of the Plan on April 7, 1999, FREIT issued 754,000 stock options (adjusted for stock splits), which it had previously granted to key personnel on September 10, 1998. The fair value of the options on the date of grant was $7.50 per share. As of January 31, 2008, options for 214,000 shares were outstanding. The total intrinsic value of the options outstanding at January 31, 2008 was approximately $3.0 million.
 
On April 4, 2007, FREIT shareholders approved amendments to FREIT’s Equity Incentive Plan as follows: (a) reserving an additional 300,000 shares for issuance under the Plan; and (b) extending the term of the Plan until September 10, 2018.

Page 6


Note 4 – Discontinued operations:
 
On June 26, 2007, FREIT closed on its contract for the sale of the Lakewood Apartments in Lakewood, New Jersey. The sales price for the property was $4 million. For financial reporting purposes, FREIT recognized a gain of approximately $3.7 million from the sale. In compliance with current accounting guidance (SFAS No. 144 – “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”), the prior year’s earnings of the Lakewood operation have been reclassified to “Income from discontinued operations”. Revenue attributable to discontinued operations was $107,500 for the prior year’s quarter.

Note 5 - Segment information:
 
FREIT has determined that it has two reportable segments: commercial properties and residential properties. These reportable segments offer different types of space, have different types of tenants, and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. The commercial segment contains ten (10) separate properties and the residential segment contains nine (9) properties. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007.
 
The chief operating and decision-making group of FREIT's commercial segment, residential segment and corporate/other is comprised of FREIT’s Board of Trustees.
 
FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income ("NOI"). NOI, a standard used by real estate professionals, is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), lease amortization, depreciation, and financing costs. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
Real estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to consolidated net income for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this measure to assess performance.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
 2007*
 
   
(In Thousands of Dollars)
 
Real estate rental revenue:
             
Commercial
  $ 5,624     $ 5,463  
Residential
    4,762       4,513  
Totals
    10,386       9,976  
Real estate operating expenses:
               
Commercial
    2,291       2,165  
Residential
    2,146       2,201  
Totals
    4,437       4,366  
Net operating income:
               
Commercial
    3,333       3,298  
Residential
    2,616       2,312  
Totals
  $ 5,949     $ 5,610  
Recurring capital improvements-residential
  $ 146     $ 174  
                 
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
               
Segment NOI
  $ 5,949     $ 5,610  
Deferred rents - straight lining
    47       55  
Amortization of acquired leases
    24       75  
Net investment income
    159       87  
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries
    (115 )     (138 )
Distribution to certain minority interests
    -       (150 )
General and administrative expenses
    (390 )     (389 )
Depreciation
    (1,338 )     (1,303 )
Financing costs
    (2,933 )     (3,043 )
Income from continuing operations
    1,403       804  
Income from discontinued operations
    -       42  
Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
                 
 *  Restated to reflect reclassification of discontinued operations.
               


Page 7


Note 6 – Subsequent events:

On February 12, 2008, Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”) closed on a $27.3 million construction loan that is available to fund already expended and future construction costs. This loan has a term of forty-eight (48) months, with one twelve (12) month extension option. FREIT has guaranteed 30% of the loan, and the minority interests, who have a 30% investment in the Damascus Centre, have agreed to indemnify FREIT for their share of the guarantee. Draws against this loan bear interest at a floating rate equal to LIBOR +1.35%. On February 12, 2008, Damascus drew down $2.5 million of construction costs from this loan.

FREIT had a variable interest rate mortgage secured by its Patchogue, NY property. To limit interest rate volatility on this loan, FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract. This loan came due on January 2, 2008. The due date of the loan was extended to February 29, 2008. The interest rate swap contract terminated on January 2, 2008. On February 29, 2008, the unpaid principal amount of this loan of approximately $5.9 million was refinanced with a $6 million mortgage loan bearing a fixed interest rate of 6.125%, with a ten (10) year term, and payable according to a thirty (30) year amortization schedule. Under the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, FREIT can request, during the term of the loan, additional fundings that will bring the outstanding principal balance up to 75% of loan-to-value (percentage of mortgage loan to total appraised value of property securing the loan).


 



Page 8


Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Identifying Important Factors That Could Cause FREIT’s Actual Results to Differ From Those
Projected in Forward Looking Statements.
 
Readers of this discussion are advised that the discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of FREIT (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and the consolidated financial statements included in FREIT’s most recently filed Form 10-K. Certain statements in this discussion may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect FREIT’s current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of FREIT, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. FREIT has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “believe,”  “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning.
 
Although FREIT believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability of prospective tenants, lease rents, the financial condition of tenants and the default rate on leases, operating and administrative expenses and the availability of financing; adverse changes in FREIT’s real estate markets, including, among other things, competition with other real estate owners, competition confronted by tenants at FREIT’s commercial properties, governmental actions and initiatives; environmental/safety requirements; and risks of real estate development and acquisitions. The risks with respect to the development of real estate include: increased construction costs, inability to obtain construction financing, or unfavorable terms of financing that may be available, unforeseen construction delays and the failure to complete construction within budget.


OVERVIEW
 
FREIT is an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns a portfolio of residential apartment and commercial properties. Our revenues consist primarily of fixed rental income from our residential and commercial properties and additional rent in the form of expense reimbursements derived from our income producing commercial properties.  Our properties are primarily located in northern New Jersey and Maryland. We acquire existing properties for investment. We also acquire properties, which we feel have redevelopment potential, and make changes and capital improvements to these properties. We develop and construct properties on our vacant land. Our policy is to acquire and develop real property for long-term investment.
 
During the past quarter we have identified the following trends that have had an effect on our operating results and cash flow:
 
Increased occupancy and rental rates at our residential rental properties:  As a result of the sub-prime mortgage fall-out, generally homebuyers are experiencing less mortgage availability and higher credit standards, coupled with higher interest costs. This has put a damper on home and condominium purchases. It has, however, increased demand for apartment rentals. The occupancy rates at our residential properties, and the apartment rental rates have increased during the last quarter.  This has helped increase our revenues, income and cash flow.
 
Availability of financing capital and interest rates: During the last quarter benchmark interest indexes, such as treasury bond rates and LIBOR rates have fallen. However, since fewer lenders are in the market for new loans, the lenders that are in the market have increased their spreads (the margin that lenders charge over current interest rates) resulting in higher interest costs to borrowers. In this respect, FREIT has benefited with respect to its variable rate mortgages since the spread on these loans was fixed in prior periods at the time that these loans were closed, resulting in lower interest costs during the last quarter.  Conversely, the cost of financing at our future development projects at the Rotunda and South Brunswick may prove more costly.

Page 9


SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosure guidance for "Critical Accounting Policies," the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as those that require the application of management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.
 
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007, have been applied consistently as at January 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, and for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates require the application of management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments: 
 
Revenue Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants' sales volume and reimbursement of the tenants' share of certain operating expenses are generally recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms. Straight-line rents represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among other things, its collectibility. If we incorrectly determine the collectibility of revenue, our net income and assets could be overstated.
 
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: We periodically assess the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever we determine that events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by FREIT's management. While we believe that our discounted cash flow methods are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly affect the measurement of impairment.

All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis unless otherwise indicated.




Page 10


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Real Estate revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2008 (“Current Quarter”) increased 3.5% to $10,457,000 compared to $10,106,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2007 (“Prior Year’s Quarter”).  The increase in real estate revenues was principally attributable to FREIT’s residential operations, primarily at The Pierre Towers and The Boulders, which accounted for 60% of the increase for the Current Quarter.
 
Net income for the Current Quarter was $1,403,000 ($0.20 per share diluted) compared to $846,000 ($0.12 per share diluted) for the Prior Year’s Quarter. Income from continuing operations for the Current Quarter was $1,403,000 ($0.20 per share diluted) compared to $804,000 ($0.11 per share diluted) for the Prior Year’s Quarter. The schedule below provides a detailed analysis of the major changes that impacted revenue and net income for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007:
 
NET INCOME COMPONENTS
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
     2007*    
Change
 
   
(thousands of dollars)
 
Commercial Properties
                   
Same Properties (1)
  $ 3,350     $ 3,317     $ 33  
Damascus Center - undergoing renovation
    54       111       (57 )
Total Commercial Properties
    3,404       3,428       (24 )
                         
Residential Properties
                       
Same Properties (1)
    2,616       2,312       304  
Total Residential Properties
    2,616       2,312       304  
                         
Total income from real estate operations
    6,020       5,740       280  
                         
Financing costs:
                       
Fixed rate mortgages
                       
Same Properties (1)
    (2,561 )     (2,624 )     63  
Floating Rate - Rotunda
    (372 )     (419 )     47  
Total financing costs
    (2,933 )     (3,043 )     110  
                         
Investment income
    159       87       72  
                         
Corporate expenses
    (211 )     (160 )     (51 )
Accounting
    (179 )     (229 )     50  
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries
    (115 )     (138 )     23  
Distribution to Westwood Hills minority interests
    -       (150 )     150  
                         
Depreciation:
                       
Same Properties (1)
    (1,338 )     (1,303 )     (35 )
Total depreciation
    (1,338 )     (1,303 )     (35 )
                         
Income from continuing operations
    1,403       804       599  
                         
Income from discontinued operations
    -       42       (42 )
                         
Net Income
  $ 1,403     $ 846     $ 557  
                         
(1) Properties operated since the beginning of fiscal 2007.
                 
* Restated to reflect reclassification of discontinued operations.
                 
 
The consolidated results of operations for the  Current Quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Page 11


SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table sets forth comparative net operating income (NOI) data for FREIT’s real estate segments and reconciles the NOI to consolidated net income for the Current Quarter, as compared to the Prior Year’s Quarter:
 
                                                             
Three Months Ended January 31:
                                                       
                                                             
   
Commercial
   
Residential
 
Combined
   
Three Months Ended
             
Three Months Ended
             
Three Months Ended
   
January 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
January 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
January 31,
   
2008
   
2007
     $       %    
2008
     2007*    
 $
      %    
2008
     
2007*
 
   
(in thousands)
           
(in thousands)
                 
(in thousands)
 
Rental income
  $ 4,194     $ 4,137     $ 57       1.4 %   $ 4,715     $ 4,452     $ 263       5.9 %   $ 8,909     $ 8,589  
Reimbursements
    1,385       1,284       101       7.9 %                     -               1,385       1,284  
Other
    45       42       3       7.1 %     47       61       (14 )     -23.0 %     92       103   
Total revenue
    5,624       5,463       161       2.9 %     4,762       4,513       249       5.5 %     10,386       9,976  
                                                                                 
Operating expenses
  2,291       2,165       126       5.8 %     2,146       2,201       (55 )     -2.5 %     4,437       4,366   
Net operating income
$ 3,333     $ 3,298     $ 35       1.1 %   $ 2,616     $ 2,312     $ 304       13.1 %     5,949       5,610   
Average
                                                                               
Occupancy %
    89.5 %     89.5 %             0.0 %     95.7 %     93.8 %             1.9 %                

 
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
           
 
Deferred rents - straight lining
    47       55  
 
Amortization of acquired leases
    24       75  
 
Net investment income
    159       87  
 
General and administrative expenses
    (390 )     (389 )
 
Depreciation
    (1,338 )     (1,303 )
 
Financing costs
    (2,933 )     (3,043 )
 
Distributions to certain minority interests
    -       (150 )
 
Minority interest
    (115 )     (138 )
 
      Income from continuing operations
    1,403       804  
 
Income from discontinued operations
    -       42  
 
 Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
 *  Restated to reflect reclassification of discontinued operations.
 
NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), lease amortization, depreciation, and financing costs. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

SUPPLEMENTARY SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Commercial lease expirations as at October 31, 2007, assuming none of the tenants exercise renewal options:
 
                   
 Annual Rent of Expiring Leases
Year Ending
 Number of  Expiring Leases  Percent of            
October 31,
 Expiring Leases  Sq. Ft.  Commercial Sq. Ft.  
Total
 
 Per Sq. Ft.
                               
Month to month
    24       59,092       5.4 %   $ 1,082,497     $ 18.32  
2008
    20       67,554       6.2 %   $ 1,339,565     $ 19.83  
2009
    15       44,143       4.1 %   $ 801,213     $ 18.15  
2010
    19       89,719       8.3 %   $ 1,283,854     $ 14.31  
2011
    15       57,081       5.2 %   $ 1,342,052     $ 23.51  
2012
    10      191,758       17.6 %   $ 1,384,803     $ 7.22  
2013
    4       33,346       3.1 %   $ 641,326     $ 19.23  
2014
    4       20,121       1.9 %   $ 318,276     $ 15.82  
2015
    7       76,104       7.0 %   $ 862,806     $ 11.34  
2016
    3       20,576       1.9 %   $ 172,432     $ 8.38  
2017
    1       2,786       0.3 %   $ 65,471     $ 23.50  

Page 12



The following tables present the average rental income on a per unit and square foot basis for each of our Residential and Commercial properties, respectively for the Current Quarter and Prior Year’s Quarter:

Residential Apartment Properties:
 
Commercial Properties:
Property & Location
 
No. of Units
Average
Quarterly
Occupancy Rate
@ 1/31/08
Average
Monthly Rent
per Unit @
1/31/08
Average
Monthly Rent
per Unit @
1/31/07
 
Property & Location
Leaseable
Space -
Approximate
Sq. Ft.
Average
Quarterly
Occupancy Rate
@ 1/31/08
Average
Annualized Rent
per Sq. Ft. @
1/31/08
Average
Annualized Rent
per Sq. Ft. @
1/31/07
                     
Palisades Manor
12
100.0%
$1,072
$1,046
 
Franklin Crossing
87,041
93.8%
$22.95
$21.73
Palisades Park, NJ
         
Franklin Lakes, NJ
       
                     
Grandview Apts.
20
100.0%
$1,133
$1,073
 
Westwood Plaza
173,854
100.0%
$12.66
$12.81
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
         
Westwood, NJ
       
                     
Heights Manor
79
92.7%
$1,125
$1,070
 
Westridge Square
256,620
88.4%
$12.60
$12.05
Spring Lake Heights, NJ
         
Frederick, MD
       
                      
Hammel Gardens
80
99.1%
$1,176
$1,161
 
Pathmark Super Store
63,962
100.0%
$19.99
$18.49
Maywood, NJ
         
Patchogue, NY
       
                      
Steuben Arms
100
99.0%
$1,234
$1,200
 
Glen Rock, NJ
4,800
100.0%
$20.48
$20.48
River Edge, NJ
                   
                      
Berdan Court
176
97.9%
$1,380
$1,329
 
Preakness Center
322,136
97.4%
$12.63
$12.16
Wayne, NJ
         
Wayne, NJ
       
                     
Pierre Towers
269
93.9%
$1,765
$1,700
 
Damascus Center
139,878
52.3%
$6.98
$9.04
Hackensack, NJ
         
Damascus, MD
       
                     
Westwood Hills
210
95.0%
$1,389
$1,370
 
The Rotunda
216,645
89.4%
$20.44
$20.09
Westwood Hills, NJ
         
Baltimore, MD
       
                     
Boulders
129
93.8%
$1,350
$1,290
           
Rockaway, NJ
                   
 
 
COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
 
FREIT’s commercial properties consist of ten (10) properties totaling approximately 1,127,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 138,000 sq. ft. of office space.  Seven (7) are multi-tenanted retail or office centers, and one is a single tenanted store. In addition, FREIT has two parcels of leased land, from which it receives rental income. One from a tenant who has built and operates a bank branch on land FREIT owns in Rockaway, NJ. The other is from a tenant who intends to build and operate a bank branch on land FREIT owns in Rochelle Park, NJ.
 
As indicated in the table above under the caption Segment Information, revenue and NOI from FREIT’s commercial segment for the Current Quarter increased by 2.9% and 1.1% over the comparable prior year’s period. Higher occupancy levels at many of our commercial properties was the primary reason for the increase in both revenue and NOI for the Current Quarter. However, the favorable increase was slightly offset by the adverse effect of the renovation at our Damascus Shopping Center property located in Damascus, MD (the “Damascus Center”), which caused a temporary decline in occupancy levels. (See discussion below). Average occupancy rates for FREIT’s commercial segment for the Current Quarter was at 94.1%, exclusive of the Damascus Center, compared to 93.6% for the prior year’s period.
 
The impact of the Damascus renovation on the quarterly results of the commercial segment is reflected in the following table:
 
     
Three Months Ended January 31,
 
     
2008
   
2007
 
     
Commercial
         
Same
   
Commercial
         
Same
 
   $(000)    
Properties
   
Damascus
   
Properties
   
Properties
   
Damascus
   
Properties
 
Revenues
    $ 5,624     $ 152     $ 5,472     $ 5,463     $ 199     $ 5,264  
                                                     
Expenses
      2,291       98       2,193       2,165       88       2,077  
                                                     
NOI
    $ 3,333     $ 54     $ 3,279     $ 3,298     $ 111     $ 3,187  


Page 13




DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
 
A modernization and expansion is underway at our Damascus Center in Damascus, MD (owned by our 70% owned affiliate, Damascus Centre, LLC). Total construction costs are expected to approximate $21.9 million.  Building plans for Phase I have been approved and construction on Phase I began in June 2007 with completion expected no later than March 2008. Phase I construction costs will approximate $4 - $4.5 million of which $3.1 million has already been expended. On February 12, 2008, Damascus Centre, LLC closed on a $27.3 million construction loan that is available to fund already expended and future construction costs.  This loan will be drawn upon as needed. On February 12, 2008, Damascus drew down $2.5 million of construction costs from this loan. (See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding this loan.) Because of this expansion, leases for certain tenants have been allowed to expire and not renewed. This has caused occupancy to decline, on a temporary basis, during the construction phase.
 
Development plans and studies for the expansion and renovation of our Rotunda property in Baltimore, MD (owned by our 60% owned affiliate Grande Rotunda, LLC) continues. The Rotunda property, on an 11.5-acre site, currently consists of an office building containing 138,000 sq. ft. of office space and 78,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the lower floor of the main building. The building plans incorporate an expansion of approximately 180,500 sq ft. of retail space, approximately 302 residential rental apartments, 56 condominium units and 120 hotel rooms, and structured parking. These development costs are expected to approximate $145 million. City Planning Board approval has been received, and construction is expected to start during calendar 2008.
 
FREIT recently completed the re-configuration and renovation of the space formerly occupied by a movie theater at its Westridge Square Shopping Center in Frederick, MD at a cost approximating $1 million.  The former movie theater operator, as part of its lease termination fee, supplied the funds for this re-configuration.

RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
 
FREIT operates nine (9) multi-family apartment communities totaling 1,075 apartment units. As indicated in the table above under the caption Segment Information, revenue from our residential segment for the Current Quarter increased 5.5% to $4,762,000 and NOI is also up 13.1% to $2,616,000. The primary reasons for the increase were higher occupancy levels, along with lower operating expenses at many of our residential properties. The Boulders and The Pierre Towers continue to be strong contributors to FREIT’s residential operations, accounting for 84% of the increase in revenue and 67% of the increase in NOI for the Current Quarter.

Revenues from FREIT’s residential properties continue to increase. Average occupancy rates for the Current Quarter were at 95.7% compared to 93.8% for the prior year’s period.
 
Our residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. Monthly average residential rents at the end of the Current Quarter and the Prior Year’s Quarter were $1,523 and $1,422, respectively. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents from current levels, results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $196,000 and $187,000, respectively.
 
Capital expenditures: Since all of our apartment communities, with the exception of The Boulders, were constructed more than 25 years ago, we tend to spend more in any given year on maintenance and capital improvements than may be spent on newer properties. A major renovation program is ongoing at The Pierre Towers apartment complex (“The Pierre”). We intend to modernize, where required, all apartments and some of the buildings’ mechanical services. This renovation is expected to cost approximately $3 - $4 million, and apartments are to be renovated as they become temporarily vacant, over the next several years. These costs will be financed from operating cash flow and cash reserves. Through January 31, 2008, we expended approximately $2.7 million in capital improvements at The Pierre, including approximately $74,000 during the Current Quarter.

 

Page 14



FINANCING COSTS
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
 Fixed rate mortgages:
           
    1st Mortgages
           
    Existing
  $ 2,369     $ 2,393  
    2nd Mortgages
               
    Existing
    130       133  
Variable rate mortgages:
               
    Acquisition loan-Rotunda
    392       405  
 Other
    55       47  
      2,946       2,978  
 Amortization of Mortgage Costs
    73       65  
 Total Financing Costs
    3,019       3,043  
      Less amount capitalized
    (86 )     -  
 Financing costs expensed
  $ 2,933     $ 3,043  
                 

Financing costs before capitalized amounts for the Current Quarter decreased 0.8% compared to the Prior Year’s Quarter.
 
Our acquisition loan for The Rotunda property of $22.5 million bears a floating interest rate. Lower interest rates over the course of the Current Quarter decreased the level of interest expense for the Rotunda by approximately $13,000, to $392,000 for the Current Quarter.

CERTAIN MINORITY DISTRIBUTIONS
 
FREIT’s 40% owned subsidiary, Westwood Hills, LLC (“LLC”) had a capital deficit resulting from distributions to members, including proceeds received on refinancing the mortgage on the residential building owned by LLC. Prior to June 1, 2007, minority members were under no legal obligation to restore their share of the capital deficit, and as a result cash distributions made to minority members of LLC were charged to expense.
 
Effective June 1, 2007, the Operating Agreement of LLC was amended by a majority of the members of LLC to require the members to restore their negative capital accounts at Westwood Hills caused by any future losses, distributions from operations or net refinancing proceeds from the effective date of this amendment forward. As a result of this amendment, future minority interest distributions by LLC may be recorded as a receivable from minority members.

NET INVESTMENT INCOME
 
Net investment income for the Current Quarter was $159,000, a significant increase over the $87,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter. Net investment income is principally derived from interest earned from cash on deposit in institutional money market funds and interest earned from secured loans receivable (loans made to Hekemian employees, including certain members of the immediate family of Robert S. Hekemian, FREIT’s CEO and Chairman of the Board, for their equity investment in Grande Rotunda, LLC, a limited liability company, in which FREIT owns a 60% equity interest and Damascus Center, LLC, a limited liability company, in which FREIT owns a 70% equity interest). The increase in net investment income for the current period was primarily attributable to higher interest income for the Current Quarter due to higher interest rates on the Company’s investments.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“G & A”)
 
During the Current Quarter, G & A was $390,000, as compared to $389,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter. The primary components of G&A are accounting fees and Trustees’ compensation amounting to $179,000 and $113,000 for the Current Quarter and $229,000 and $105,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter, respectively.

Page 15




DEPRECIATION
 
Depreciation expense from continuing operations for the Current Quarter was $1,338,000, an increase of $35,000 over the prior year’s comparable period. The increase was primarily attributable to FREIT’s residential operations, specifically with respect to current renovation and construction projects becoming operational at The Pierre and The Boulders, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Our financial condition remains strong. Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities was $4.2 million for the Current Quarter compared to $2.6 million for the Prior Year’s Quarter. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments, recurring capital improvements and dividends necessary to retain qualification as a REIT (90% of taxable income).
 
As at January 31, 2008, we had cash and marketable securities totaling $9.8 million compared to $12.7 million at October 31, 2007.
 
Credit Line:
FREIT has an $18 million line of credit provided by the Provident Bank. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Palisades Manor Apartments, Palisades Park, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. .Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws.
 
In connection with its construction activities at The Boulders in Rockaway, NJ, FREIT had drawn down $1.5 million and further utilized the credit line for the issuance of a $2 million Letter of Credit (“LoC”). The $1.5 million was repaid during the Prior Year’s Quarter and the $2 million LoC was retired on May 16, 2007. $18 million is currently available under the line of credit.
 
We are planning an expansion and redevelopment of The Rotunda in Baltimore, MD and have begun the rebuilding of the Damascus Shopping Center, in Damascus, MD. The total capital required for these projects is estimated at $145 million, and $21.9 million, respectively. Financing for the Rotunda project will be, in part, from mortgage financing and, in part, from funds available in our institutional money market investment. On February 12, 2008, Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”) closed on a $27.3 million construction loan that is available to fund already expended and future construction costs. This loan has a term of forty-eight (48) months, with one twelve (12) month extension option. FREIT has guaranteed 30% of the loan, and the minority interests, who have a 30% investment in the Damascus Centre, have agreed to indemnify FREIT for their share of the guarantee. Draws against this loan bear interest at a floating rate equal to LIBOR +1.35%. On February 12, 2008, Damascus drew down $2.5 million of construction costs from this loan.
 
We expect these development projects to add to revenues, income, cash flow, and shareholder value.
 
At January 31, 2008, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $188.8 million and bears a weighted average interest rate of 5.83%, and an average life of approximately 5.8 years. These fixed rate mortgages are subject to amortization schedules that are longer than the term of the mortgages. As such, balloon payments (unpaid principal amounts at mortgage due date) for all mortgage debt will be required as follows:

Fiscal Year
2008
2010
2013
2014
2016
2017
2019
2022
($ in millions)
               
Mortgage "Balloon" Payments
$28.4
$12.2
$8.0
$25.9
$24.5
$22.0
$28.1
$14.4
 
The following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt at January 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007:
 
   
January 31,
 
October 31,
($ in Millions)
 
2008
 
2007
Fair Value
 
$196.3
 
$188.7
         
Carrying Value
 
$188.8
 
$189.4

Page 16




Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at January 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007 and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates.
 
FREIT expects to refinance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to interest rate risk. If interest rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or refinancing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired. For example, at January 31, 2008 a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the fair value of our debt by $9.9 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the fair value by $10.8 million.
 
FREIT also has interest rate exposure on its floating rate loans. Currently, FREIT’s only floating rate loan outstanding is its $22.5 million acquisition loan for The Rotunda. A 1% rate fluctuation would impact earnings on an annual basis by $225,000.
 
We believe that the values of our properties will be adequate to command refinancing proceeds equal to or higher than the mortgage debt to be refinanced. We continually review our debt levels to determine if additional debt can prudently be utilized for property acquisition additions to our real estate portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to our shareholders.

FREIT had a variable interest rate mortgage secured by its Patchogue, NY property. To limit interest rate volatility on this loan, FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract. This loan came due on January 2, 2008. The due date of the loan was extended to February 29, 2008. The interest rate swap contract terminated on January 2, 2008. On February 29, 2008, the unpaid principal amount of this loan of approximately $5.9 million was refinanced with a $6 million mortgage loan bearing a fixed interest rate of 6.125%, with a ten (10) year term, and payable according to a thirty (30) year amortization schedule. Under the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, FREIT can request, during the term of the loan, additional fundings that will bring the outstanding principal balance up to 75% of loan-to-value (percentage of mortgage loan to total appraised value of property securing the loan).

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (“FFO”):
 
Many consider FFO as the standard measurement of a REIT’s performance. We compute FFO as follows:
 
Funds From Operations ("FFO")
           
     
Three Months Ended
 
     
January 31,
 
     
2008
   
 2007*
 
     
($ in thousands)
 
                 
Net income
  $ 1,403     $ 846  
Depreciation
    1,338       1,303  
Amortization of deferred mortgage costs
    73       65  
Deferred rents (Straight lining)
    (47 )     (55 )
Amortization of acquired leases
    (24 )     (75 )
Capital Improvements - Apartments
    (146 )     (174 )
Discontinued operations
    -       (42 )
Minority interests:
               
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    115       288  
Distributions to minority interests
    (327 )     (300 )
                   
 
FFO
  $ 2,385     $ 1,856  
                   
 
 Per Share - Basic
  $ 0.35     $ 0.27  
 
 Per Share - Diluted
  $ 0.35     $ 0.27  
                   
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 Basic
    6,763       6,751  
 
 Diluted
    6,906       6,919  
                   
* Restated to reflect reclassification of discontinued operations.
 

Page 17




FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO by certain other REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT’s, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and the FFO of other REITs may not be directly comparable.

INFLATION
Inflation can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. Our commercial tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow us to seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained.






Page 18


 
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See “Residential Segment” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under Item 2 above for a detailed discussion of FREIT’s quantitative and qualitative market risk disclosures.


Item 4: Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There has been no change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting during the first three months of fiscal 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Part II:  Other Information

Item 1A:  Risk Factors

Almost all of FREIT’s income and cash flow is derived from the net rental income (revenues after expenses) from our properties. FREIT’s business and financial results are affected by the following fundamental factors:

 
§
the national and regional economic climate;
 
§
occupancy rates at the properties;
 
§
tenant turnover rates;
 
§
rental rates;
 
§
operating expenses;
 
§
tenant improvement and leasing costs;
 
§
cost of and availability of capital;
 
§
new acquisitions and development projects; and
 
§
changes in governmental regulations, real estate tax rates and similar matters.

A negative quality change in the above factors could potentially cause a detrimental effect on FREIT’s revenue, earnings and cash flow. If rental revenues decline, we would expect to have less cash available to pay our indebtedness and distribute to our shareholders.

Changes in General Economic Climate:  FREIT derives the majority of its revenues from renting apartments to individuals or families, and from retailers renting space at its shopping centers. A decline in general economic conditions, particularly in New Jersey and Maryland, where a majority of our properties are located, may cause reductions in rental revenues. A decline in general economic conditions may cause apartment tenants to double-up or vacate, causing increases in vacancies, or to resist monthly rent increases. Additionally, a general decline in economic conditions may cause a lack of consumer confidence, resulting in lower levels of consumer spending that could adversely affect the financial condition of some of our retail tenants, resulting in their inability to pay rent and/or expense recovery charges (represents recovery of certain common area maintenance charges, including insurance and real estate taxes). These retail tenants may vacate or fail to exercise renewal options for their space.

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Tenants unable to pay rent: Financially distressed tenants may be unable to pay rents and expense recovery charges, where applicable, and may default on their leases. Enforcing our rights as landlord could result in substantial costs and may not result in a full recovery of unpaid rent. If a tenant files for bankruptcy, the tenant’s lease may be terminated. In each such instance FREIT’s income and cash flow would be negatively impacted.

Costs of re-renting space: If tenants fail to renew leases, fail to exercise renewal options, or terminate their leases early, the lost rents due to vacancy and the costs of re-renting the space could prove costly to FREIT. In addition to cleaning and renovating the vacated space, we may be required to grant concessions to a new tenant, and may incur leasing brokerage commissions.  The lease terms to a new tenant may be less favorable than the prior tenant’s lease terms, and will negatively impact FREIT’s income and cash flow and adversely affect our ability to pay mortgage debt and interest or make distributions to our shareholders

Inflation may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations: Increased inflation could have a pronounced negative impact on our operating and administrative expenses, as these costs may increase at a higher rate than our rents. While increases in most operating expenses at our commercial properties can be passed on to retail tenants, increases in expenses at our residential properties cannot be passed on to residential tenants. Unreimbursed increased operating expenses may reduce cash flow available for payment of mortgage debt and interest, and for distributions to shareholders.

Development and construction risks:   As part of its investment strategy, FREIT seeks to acquire property for development and construction, as well as to develop and build on land already in its portfolio. FREIT is currently renovating its shopping center located in Damascus, Maryland, and is planning a major development at its Rotunda property in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition it is contemplating the construction of an industrial building on its South Brunswick, New Jersey property. Development and construction activities are challenged with the following risks, which may adversely affect our cash flow:

 
·
financing may not be available in the amounts we seek, or may not be on favorable terms;
 
·
long-term financing may not be available upon completion of the construction; and
 
·
failure to complete construction on schedule or within budget may increase debt service costs and construction costs.

Debt financing could adversely affect income and cash flow:  FREIT relies on debt financing to fund its growth through acquisitions and development activities. To the extent third party debt financing is not available, or not available on favorable terms, acquisitions and development activities will be curtailed.

FREIT currently has approximately $166 million of non-recourse mortgage debt subject to fixed interest rates, and approximately $23 million of partial recourse acquisition mortgage debt subject to variable interest rates (relates to the acquisition of the Rotunda property). These mortgages are being repaid over periods (amortization schedules) that are longer than the terms of the mortgages. Accordingly, when the mortgages become due (at various times) significant balloon payments (the unpaid principal amounts) will be required.  FREIT expects to refinance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to capital availability and interest rate risk. If interest rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required and/or refinancing proceeds may be less than the amount of the mortgage debt being retired.

To the extent we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, we may need to dispose of one or more of our properties upon disadvantageous terms.

Our revolving $18 million credit line (currently unutilized and fully available) and our acquisition mortgage loan contain financial covenants that could restrict our acquisition activities and result in a default on these loans if we fail to satisfy these covenants.

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Real estate is a competitive business: FREIT is subject to normal competition with other investors to acquire real property and to profitably manage such property. Numerous other REITs, banks, insurance companies and pension funds, as well as corporate and individual developers and owners of real estate, compete with FREIT in seeking properties for acquisition and for tenants. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than FREIT. In addition, retailers at FREIT's commercial properties face increasing competition from discount shopping centers, outlet malls, sales through catalogue offerings, discount shopping clubs, marketing and shopping through cable and computer sources, particularly over the internet, and telemarketing. In many markets, the trade areas of FREIT's commercial properties overlap with the trade areas of other shopping centers. Renovations and expansions at those competing shopping centers and malls could negatively affect FREIT's commercial properties by encouraging shoppers to make their purchases at such new, expanded or renovated shopping centers and malls. Increased competition through these various sources could adversely affect the viability of FREIT's tenants, and any new commercial real estate competition developed in the future could potentially have an adverse effect on the revenues of and earnings from FREIT's commercial properties.

Illiquidity of real estate investment: Real estate investments are relatively difficult to buy and sell quickly. Accordingly, the ability of FREIT to vary its portfolio in response to changing economic, market or other conditions is limited. Also, FREIT’s interests in its partially owned subsidiaries are subject to transfer constraints by the operating agreements, which govern FREIT’s investment in these partially owned subsidiaries.

Environmental problems may be costly: Both federal and state governments are concerned with the impact of real estate construction and development programs upon the environment. Environmental legislation affects the cost of selling real estate, the cost to develop real estate, and the risks associated with purchasing real estate.
 
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, an owner of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under such property, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). Such laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owners knew of, or were responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances. Such liability may be imposed on the owner in connection with the activities of any operator of, or tenant at the property. The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and the owner's liability therefore could exceed the value of the property and/or the aggregate assets of the owner. In addition, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. If FREIT incurred any such liability, it could reduce FREIT's revenues and ability to make distributions to its shareholders.
 
A property can also be negatively impacted by either physical contamination or by virtue of an adverse effect upon value attributable to the migration of hazardous or toxic substances, or other contaminants that have or may have emanated from other properties.
 
FREIT may fail to qualify as a REIT: Since its inception in 1961, FREIT has elected, and will continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy a number of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Governmental legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations may significantly change the tax laws with respect to the requirements for qualification as a REIT, or the federal income tax consequences of qualifying as a REIT. Although FREIT intends to continue to operate in a manner to allow it to qualify as a REIT, future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause it to revoke the REIT election or fail to qualify as a REIT. Such a revocation would subject FREIT’s income to federal income tax at regular corporate rates, and failure to qualify as a REIT would also eliminate the requirement that we pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
Change of investment and operating policies: FREIT’s investment and operating policies, including indebtedness and dividends, are exclusively determined by FREIT’s Board of Trustees, and not subject to shareholder approval.

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Item 6: Exhibits

Reference is made to the Exhibit index below.

 

Exhibit Index

 
Page
   
Exhibit 31.1 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
24
   
Exhibit 31.2 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
25
   
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
26
   
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
27









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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
 
TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
 
 
(Registrant)
 
     
Date: March 11, 2008
   
 
/s/ Robert S. Hekemian
 
 
(Signature)
 
 
Robert S. Hekemian
 
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
     
     
 
/s/ Donald W. Barney
 
 
(Signature)
 
 
Donald W. Barney
 
 
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial/Accounting Officer)

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